Reasons Behind Why Does My Cat Eat Plastic

Cats are nosy and active animals. But the nature of the cats varies according to the types and states in which cats usually live. Even sometimes, they can develop weird habits. Such strange practices fear their landlords. One of these practices is consuming plastic. Sometimes, they may eat plastic while hiding from their owners. It can damage their health. It can even be risking their lives. Why does my cat eat plastic? Find out how to prevent them from doing so.

Why Does My Cat Eat Plastic?

This article will analyze the possible reasons and explanations for why does my cat eat plastic.

1- The curiousness of plastic

Cats are inherently curious and naughty animals. They want to analyze their surroundings with their feelings. Plastic objects can tempt their lookout because they make fascinating dins. It has various consistencies or smells like meals or other animals.

Cats may taste, munch, or chew plastic to fulfill their interest and learn more about it. Yet, this can also be difficult, as plastic can cause choking, intestinal stoppage, or poisoning if consumed.

2- Taste or smell of plastic

Plastic things are not palatable. But they may include additives that drive them to appeal to cats. Some plastics are regaled with chemicals like stearates or lanolin. They are derived from animal saturated fats or greases. Some plastics are produced of biodegradable things.

They include corn starch, which few cats may see tasty. Some plastics may also entrap the smell of food or other elements. Cats may lick or ingest plastic because they enjoy the flavor or aroma of these additives or remains.

3- Suffer from Pica

Pica is a disorder that makes cats ingest non-food objects. It includes malleable, yarn, piece, or rubber. It can have different causalities, such as hereditary bias, nutritional depletion, gastrointestinal issues, stress, lethargy, or obsessive condition.

Moreover, it can be dangerous to cats’ health, as it can guide to dental injury, choking, illness, intestinal obstacle, or perforation. A veterinarian should review cats with pica to avoid medical problems and thus be treated.

4- Cats with OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a severe case connected to conduct. It can make cats encounter repetitive and extreme actions interrupting their normal functioning. It can be activated by tension, stress, frustration, or environmental shifts.

Cats with such diseases may lick, eat, or ingest plastic to manage their adverse emotions or reduce their lethargy. It can also cause bodily harm to cats, such as skin problems, hair loss, or ingesting unfamiliar objects.

5- Relieve dental problems

Cats may lick or munch plastic to reduce dental issues. It includes tooth pain or plaque buildup. Plastic may lead to a mild feeling or a stop from the ache or pain in their mouth. Yet, plastic can also deepen such issues. It causes scrapes, illness, or rash. Cats with such problems should be reviewed by a doctor and acquire proper dental care and cure.

6- Anemia or more iron intake

Anemia is a disease that arises when there is a drop in red blood cells. These cells take oxygen to the tissues. It can cause sickness, laziness, loss of hunger, and light gums in cats. One of the likely causes of this disease is a lack of iron.

It can result from a blood flop, a lack to absorb iron, or a bad diet. Iron is an essential mineral for the making of hemoglobin. It is the protein that has oxygen in red blood cells. Cats with a lack of iron may need more iron input from drugs. Give the cats food rich in iron, like liver or flesh.

7- Diabetes or regulated blood sugar level

Diabetes is an ailment that influences the degree of the body to hold blood sugar levels. In cats, it is usually operated by a lack of insulin. It is a hormone that helps glucose to enter the cells for fuel.

Such cats have high blood sugar levels. It can lead to an increase in hunger and laziness. Such cats may also form problems and serious diseases. It can be handled with injections, food, and the holding of sugar levels.

8- Hyperthyroidism affects hunger

Hyperthyroidism is a condition that appears when the thyroid gland makes excessive thyroid. It controls the metabolic system and additional roles of the cats. It is ordinary in older cats.

Also, it can lead to signs like raised hunger, too much activity, raised heart rate, and a big thyroid gland. It can also impact other organs like the heart. Even it can be treated with drugs, surgery, iodine, or dietary cure.

9- Inflammatory bowel syndrome

Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) is a risky infection that impacts the stomach of cats. It causes rash and irritation of the intestinal lining. It can inhibit the absorption of food. The exact cause is naive but might be linked to nourishment, anxiety, bacteria, or immunity infection. It can be controlled with dietary shifts, drugs, probiotics, or other foods.

10- Have intestinal parasites

Intestinal parasites are living things that enter the digestive lining of cats and nourish their nutrients. Some typical cat parasites are worms, coccidia, and others. Some intestinal parasites can also contaminate humans and lead to zoonotic infections. They can be seen by dissecting fecal pieces and treated with deworming medicine.

Conclusion

Cats undergo a condition where they eat non-food objects, especially plastic. Different factors, such as genetic prejudice, health issues, tension, lethargy, or curiosity, can drive it. Ingesting plastic can be risky for cats. It can induce intestinal tie-up, illness, or blocking.

To stop your cat from swallowing plastic, consult your veterinarian to lead out any medical problems. So, overlook your cat and feed it accordingly. Otherwise, it may get sick and even die out one day. 

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